Sophie Naftalin's Notable Cases

H v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2015]

A civil claim leading to substantial award of damages to protester at a trade union demonstration in November 2013.

Mohamud v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2015]

A civil claim and complaint on behalf of a young victim of a racially motivated attack, where police failed to treat him as a victim of crime. These officers went on to face disciplinary proceedings and the case settled with an apology and damages. The case has been used by the IPCC to develop their new guidance on dealing with allegations of discriminations and an article was published in Vice magazine about Omar’s experience of the complaint’s process.

Taiwo v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset [2014]

Secured an admission that the failure by police to investigate a racist attack had been discriminatory and breached the HRA, and substantial damages. The police are making a training film about the events which will be viewed by every officer in the Constabulary as part of their training to ensure that lessons are learned. The Observer published a feature on the case which can be read here.

Inquest into the death of OL

Ongoing proceedings concerning a young man who was fatally restrained by police officers whilst an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital in 2010.

S and others v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2013]

Settlement of £40,000 awarded to a family following an unlawful raid on their property arising out of information provided to the police following the London riots in August 2011.

B v Home Office and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2013]

Civil claim settled for damages, for discrimination on the basis of the Claimant’s accent during an immigration ‘spot-check’ in South London.

Inquest into death of David Emmanuel [2013]

Represented the daughter of David Emmanuel (also known as ‘Smiley Culture’) in the inquest into his death following police contact. The jury found that police failings had contributed to Mr Emmanuel’s death.

B v A Firm; R v B [2013]

Sophie acted for a refugee who had been wrongfully advised by her criminal firm to plead guilty to illegal entry. Her client’s conviction was successfully overturned. Subsequently Sophie sued the criminal firm for professional negligence and her client’s received a sum of damages.

R (Hicks) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2012]

Court of Appeal case challenging the lawfulness of the arrests of a number of people on the day of the Royal Wedding on the basis that those arrests were in breach of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court of Appeal rejected the challenge and leave has been granted to appeal to the Supreme Court.

R v LZ [2012] EWCA Crim 1867

Successful criminal appeal on behalf a victim of trafficking following a guilty plea for possession of false documents.

TO v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2012]

PA v Chief Constable of Nottingham Police (2011) £20,250 damages and an apology to man who claimed that he had been a victim of race discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.

DG and others v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [2011]

Settlement and apology achieved on behalf of two children and their mothers. The mothers achieved a settlement for race discrimination on the basis that they were denied their right to act as appropriate adults simply because they did not speak English as a first language.

R v Mohamed [2010] EWCA Crim 2400

Landmark Court of Appeal judgment overturning the convictions of refugees who had been wrongly advised of their defence under s31 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Sophie acted for one of the appellants.